Those who have made the courageous decision to quit the drug Adderall will most likely find themselves battling a new demon: the Adderall withdrawal symptoms. There are ways to safely cleanse your system of the drug and have a successful recovery.

What is Adderall?

Adderall is an amphetamine/dextroamphetamine. Part of a family of prescription drugs called psychostimulants, it can cause temporary improvement in one’s mental or physical functions. It does this by affecting certain neurotransmitters in the brain. This boosts alertness, focus, and energy levels. Commonly prescribed to sufferers of ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), narcolepsy, and chronic fatigue, Adderall is sometimes paired with other drugs to treat depression. Adderall also has a high potential for psychological dependency. This can lead to addiction.

Who is at risk for Adderall abuse?

Understanding Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms. Adderall abuse can occur even while under the supervision of a doctor, however, it has exploded in popularity as a recreational drug, especially in students.

This is because it can be used to improve academic and work performance.

In fact, a recent study by the National Survey on Drug Use found that 6.4% of college students between the ages of 18 and 22 have used Adderall recreationally. And because of the fact that it so common and easy to get, you may underestimate just how hazardous and addictive this drug can be if not properly administered. This makes it even more likely for abuse and psychological dependency.

What is Adderall Abuse?

Adderall is one of the most abused prescription drugs and abuse can come in a variety of forms. These include taking a higher dose than prescribed, taking the drug without a prescription, taking it through non-doctor approved methods (like snorting), taking the drug more frequently than prescribed, or taking the drug for reasons other than those prescribed by their doctor. Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms is one of our specialty services at Profound Treatment, Los Angeles.

The Effects of Adderall Abuse

Adderall abuse, like any amphetamine abuse, is a slippery slope that can easily turn into addiction. The more and more Adderall users take, the more likely they are to develop a tolerance towards the drug, meaning that it will require higher or more frequent doses to get the same effect.
That tolerance could then turn into dependency, where the user’s body gets so used to have the drug that it can no longer function properly without it.

Finally, Adderall users can become addicted, compulsively seeking the drug out and ignoring its risks and negative effects.

The “Crash” and Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms

In many drug users’ lives there comes a time when they decide enough is enough and they make the decision to stop the abuse once and for all. However, they should be aware of what’s to come once the drug is no longer a part of their lives.
Once a person makes the choice to quit taking Adderall, the effects can be seen in as little as a few hours. Experts often refer to this initial period as the Adderall “crash,” as your body tries to readjust to life before your amphetamine abuse. Your symptoms will be the worst and most intense during your first week of withdrawal.

You’ll start to feel better towards the end of that first week, as the most intense symptoms start to subside and you begin to function normally without needing Adderall as a crutch.

By the end of the first month, you’ll most likely start to feel more like “you” again, though it could take up to three if your tolerance was extremely high.

Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms Can Vary.

Adderall withdrawal symptoms will vary from person to person and can be dependent on a variety of criteria. For example, someone who took the drug for a longer length of time will most likely experience more severe symptoms than someone who only took it for a shorter period. The same goes for dosage frequency and amount.

Earlier we briefly touched upon the different types of Adderall available: Adderall IR and Adderall XR. Even the type of Adderall taken can play a role in how a person feels during withdrawal. It’s often thought that those who use XR may have a more difficult time quitting the drug than someone who has been taking IR.

Again, there is no “one size fits all” when it comes to Adderall withdrawal; every individual will have a different experience as they come off of the drug.

Adderall withdrawal symptoms are long and varied and it would be irresponsible to suggest that you or your loved one will experience all of them.

Here are some of the most common Adderall Withdrawl symptoms.

Anger and Irritability: As the drug leaves your system, you may feel attacked and aggravated by those around you for no real reason, even up to the point of causing crying spells.

Anxiety and Panic Attacks: Oftentimes you may feel anxious for no reason at all when coming off this drug.

Increased Appetite and Weight Gain: Adderall can be an appetite suppressant and once off it, you may find yourself hungrier than normal.

Inability to Focus and concentrate: You may have a hard time focusing on tasks and remembering things without the drug.

Dizziness: Dizziness tends to occur within the first few days of withdrawal, especially if you decide to quit cold turkey.

Fatigue and Laziness: The most common symptoms; these occur because you are used to Adderall giving you the energy to function every day. Once the drug is taken away, your body needs time to adjust to doing tasks without it.

Foggy Thinking: Your thoughts may feel hazy and unclear while coming off Adderall because you are no longer relying on it to focus.

Additional Adderall Withdrawl Symptoms

Headaches: These are normally fairly minor and can be combatted with over-the-counter headache medication.

Mood Swings: Sometimes, people report extreme changes in their moods, going from great highs to extreme lows.

Nausea: You may feel waves of nausea and even vomit during withdrawal.

Vivid Dreams: Some people going through Adderall withdrawal saw changes in their dreams or had dreams that seemed especially wild and vivid.

Depression and Suicidal Thoughts: Dopamine (the “happy” hormone) levels tend to decrease when off Adderall, leading to feelings of depression and even thoughts of suicide. This is the most serious of all side effects; if you experience this, contact your doctor immediately.

Remember, even though you may feel hopeless during the first few weeks of recovery, these symptoms are only temporary, while the positive effects of sobriety will last a lifetime.

Ending Your Substance Abuse

Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms are treated at Profound Treatment Center Los Angeles. There are several ways you can end your Adderall abuse. Many people have found a three-step approach to be the most successful.

First, and most obviously, you must make the decision to quit.

Secondly, you can pick a plan of HOW you are going to quit the drug.

Finally, you must also create a maintenance plan in order to discourage any relapses.

Additional Solutions To Ending Your Substance Abuse:

Another method of quitting is tapering down your usage the drug. This can be especially effective for those whose abuse was severe because it can minimize Adderal withdrawal symptoms.

Absolutely essential to your success is to have a support system. Friends or loved ones who understand your struggle and can help you through even the most difficult times. Patients typically find outpatient treatments offered at Profound Treatment are especially helpful.

If you are a heavy user, an inpatient facility may also help you in your road to recovery. On average, these treatments can take anywhere between several weeks to several months. Profound Treatment is an excellent option.

Our patient’s daily routine is focused on recovery. This includes regular group therapy sessions. Other services at Profound Treatment Center Los Angeles is one-on-one counseling. We also offer on-site doctors who can help cope with difficult withdrawal symptoms.

If you or your loved one suffers from Adderall addiction and are finally looking to get help, Profound Treatment offers a variety of different programs to help you reach sobriety.

Maintaining Your Sobriety

Ending your Adderall abuse is only part of the journey to recovery.

Staying healthy has a big impact. This may make you less likely to turn to Adderall. It’s also important to be aware of your triggers. Acknowledge what situations make you want to reach for the drug to be prepared to resist temptations.

Profound Treatment Center Los Angeles

Addiction treatment centers like Profound are also excellent resources because we know that treatment doesn’t end once sobriety begins. When it comes to maintaining your sobriety we can help you through every step of your journey.

Learn more about how Profound Treatment can help you or your loved one’s addiction HERE.
We can help with Adderall Withdrawal Symptoms